"Most Contractors are quite kind however many experienced ones are very apathetic from their previous Familiars' deaths."

“Let's buy it later then, we don't have anything to pay for it yet.”

Bakunawa had a disheartened look as she shrunk back, coiling around her place in Favio’s arm.

Having nothing more to do in the tower shop, Favio walks towards the stairs but they encountered a floor transportation vehicle, a transparent box that rises and falls as you ride them.

It cemented the opinion within Favio that the Americans of the Sorcerate Union have such generosity as they shared their wonders in the rather outlandish Archipelago.

Through the transparent glass Favio gazed as they descended slowly, thinking of the budget. He has 20 Ginto and 10 of them is spent daily to obtain room and food but including Bakunawa, he would need to earn more to travel a bit more luxuriously or he can camp outside.

He stepped out of the glass elevator after it has reached the ground floor and exited the building and they made for the parking lot.

From the parking lot, Favio can see the gates in the distance and it reminded Favio of something important.

“Hey Bakunawa, didn’t that guard say something about earning money on the Arena. You could get us some some money in the Arena and we might be able to buy your gem.”

“The prize should be sufficient or else we will be bounty hunting, boy.”

“Bounty hunting?”

“I heard that some of Halvert’’s guards had rebelled because of this settlement, they say the Union is here to conquer us. I don’t really care but it had many bounties listed on this month.”

“Where did you learn of this?”

“The ladies’ network… Now, let’s go and check out the Arena, wait… Isn’t the Arena right in front of us?”

They looked at the strangely broad building facing the parking lot. It looked like a base of a tower with the rest of it cut off. Signs on it sorely stood out as if calling to all directions ‘Arena’.

Bakunawa tightened a bit, telling Favio to move forward. They made their way for the Arena to register. The clerk was an old lady but the registration ran quite smoothly. Favio paid 10 Ginto pieces for the Gold Rank since it was what Bakunawa recommended.

“The prize? Tonight, it’s about 1300 Ginto for the Gold Rank… You’re letting your Familiar loose right?”

“No, I’ll be fighting.”

“My goodness… Don’t get injured, you’re too young. Surrender is always an option, you know.”

Sincere worry filled up the old clerk’s face as if her grandchild was conscripted for war. This in turn, questions Favio: ‘Why is he doing his fighting, not his Familiar?’

Normally, Contractors fight by commanding their Familiars from far away. Some of them use special methods to fight alongside their Familiars but Favio doesn’t know anything about those methods.

Bakunawa seem to hate fighting without any rewards. Yes, she could protect Favio, but it was only when the situation calls for it.

“It’s alright, my Familiar will protect me when the time comes…”

After exiting the Arena, Favio’s stomach growled intensely since it was already nearing lunch. He bought a sausage in a bun from a street stand nearby, bringing his meager funds to 9 Ginto. It was quite a filling fast food from Union origins.

Bakunawa didn’t order anything since she isn’t hungry yet instead, she prompted Favio to immediately start training for the night.

They went outside the settlement. The place that they have chosen was a clearing right beside the wall, surrounded by greenery while far away enough from prying eyes.

Bakunawa reverted to her usual Diwata form, standing from a distance away from Favio.

“Should we start?”

Favio nodded as he drew his sword, taking a stance.

“First, let’s revise your fighting style… You have seen my memories, haven’t you?”

“Yes, I have seen you fight against a goddess named Haliya and all her powerful attacks never damaged you.”

“Oh, that nutcase… Yeah, that nutcase’s style is quite similar to what you use right now, it uses the full force of all attacks and the only thing different from your style is how you think before slashing.”

“How can you defeat the Gods though?”

“Sheesh boy, I’m getting into that. I simply moved with the attacks to flexibly avoid the force while changing its direction. You understand?”

Bakunawa walked towards a tree and picked up a random branch on the ground. She threw it at Favio and he grasped it with his free hand.

“Use this and apply the principle I told you about. Deflect my attack without breaking the stick. It’s quite flexible so even if you were to execute it poorly, boy.”

Favio replaced his sword with the stick and sheathes his sword back into its scabbard when Bakunawa did a sudden movement. She was already above Favio dropping a kick.

“Wai-”

His free hand moved, coiling around her leg as he pushes it away. Bakunawa’s kick left a deep crater on where it landed, it was an impossible feat that Favio had successfully defended against that without any broken bones.

“As expected of my Master, you executed the first technique flawlessly and with your hand, nonetheless. You never fail to amaze me, boy.”

Favio looked at Bakunawa, clueless on how he did something impossible.

“Wait… How did I do that, I never know it until-”

“This boy sure loves prying… You know the dream right? It was a sign that a Master and a powerful Familiar begins trusting each other. We will see more of each other as our bond increases, you can’t link our Hearts because you are unconsciously cautious of me.”

Favio felt relief however there was this feeling that something within him is being taken. He can feel it flowing towards Bakunawa then, a very pleasant feeling enters within him.

“Oh? You’re already giving me Authority?”

“WHAT?”

He panicked upon learning that his Authority was being taken. It was the only thing that Contractors have to protect themselves.

“It’s alright, boy… Giving me Authority makes me stronger while allowing you to gain my characteristics, it’s called Authorization. Most Contractors never discover this side since they are apathetic towards their Familiars or their companions are not strong enough. Spirit Knights from Luzon does this quite frequently.”

Bakunawa pulls her feet off the ground and lowered her body, ready to strike.

“Let’s continue training then, I’ll be doing a combo on you this time so try and use that technique repeatedly.”

They continued to train until Favio ran out of breath and rested for 5 minutes. They continued doing this until Favio saw the weird lights.

“They seem to be using Crystal Lamps… How pretty.”

“Crystal Lamps aren’t this bright, Americans sure have nice technology.”

“Oh, you already obtained my eyesight, boy! I’m so proud of you! I can now show you how I see all the nice stuff.”

“Hey Bakunawa, it’s dark already… We might be late.”

Noticing the situation, Bakunawa immediately returned to Favio’s arm.

“Quick, quick! Hurry up, boy!!!”

And so Favio left for the settlement with a sprint.

I quite loved writing this chapter, I feel so rewarded.

I had a mental breakdown last Thursday and I almost deleted this fic out of Jealousy. I even posted my mental outburst on a forum but I’m fine now. I was sleepy at that time so I kinda regret it now (cringing) but they gave me some nice advice.

Choices for my next character introduction: Which one of these traits you think the next main character to have (not another protagonist)?

Z Insanity

Y Sloth

X Narcissism

W Wisdom

V Viscousness